Former Manchester United and Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement aged 31 after sustaining a serious knee injury during his first game at FC Como.
The Frenchman won four Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles across 10 years in Madrid, first heading to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011 aged just 18.
One of the finest central defenders of his generation, he also won the 2018 World Cup with France and was part of the squad which lost the 2022 final in Qatar, winning 93 caps for his nation and scoring five goals.
He joined United in 2021 and was a key figure at Old Trafford across his three years there, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in his final full match.
Varane has suggested he will move into a backroom role with Como, the Serie A upstarts who are managed by Cesc Fabregas and signed Pepe Reina, Andrea Belotti and ex-Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto over the summer in an attempt to make their mark on the Italian top-flight.
He has previously spoken at length about the impact football has had on his body and mind, particularly focussed on concussions and heading, telling L’Equipe earlier this year: “Even if [heading] doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks can have harmful effects.
“Personally, I don’t know if I’ll live to be 100, but I do know that I’ve damaged my body. The dangers of headers need to be taught on all amateur football pitches and to young people.”
In that same interview, he provided an indication of the outlook which has informed his decision to cut his career short having injured his knee just 23 minutes into his Como debut, in the Italian Cup against Sampdoria on 11 August.
Varane said: “We also have to make the player understand that it’s not showing his strength to continue playing after a serious injury, but that the real strength lies in getting out, stopping playing and resting. This can be difficult for a top-level athlete to take on board.”
Announcing his retirement in a post on Instagram, the Frenchman wrote: “They say all good things must come to an end. In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfillment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love.
“I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. Desire and needs are two different things. I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it’s the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley.
“I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have stuck to my principles of being sincere and have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it. I hope I have made you all proud.”
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/s80RiJE
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